In Second Place by Rachel Cusk, the pretentious nature of the book is evident from the beginning. I have not read any of Cusk’s other books, but I very much doubt I will be trying them after struggling through this.

The characters come across as elitist and self-absorbed, making it difficult to feel any empathy or connection with them. Their actions and dialogue often feel contrived, as if they are trying too hard to be profound or intellectual. This sense of pretentiousness permeates the entire novel, creating a barrier between the reader and the story.

Additionally, the lack of likable characters further hampers the reading experience. Without anyone to root for or care about, it becomes challenging to invest in the unfolding narrative. The characters' unrelatable personalities and questionable motives only serve to alienate the reader, making it hard to become emotionally engaged with the story.

It  didn’t help that I had the audiobook and it was awful. I was thinking that the accent couldn’t be real, there is a slight Moira Rose tint to it. Then I saw the narrator was English and realised it was just a bad American accent. There was also a change in volume at the start of the sentences compared to the end that was quite jarring.

Overall, Second Place by Rachel Cusk is a book that falls short of expectations. Its pretentious tone, unlikable characters, and meandering plot combine to create a reading experience that is tedious and unsatisfying. I would caution potential readers to approach this book with caution, as it may not live up to their expectations.